EUSKADI! Espelette

Nestled among rolling hills and vast pastures, this world-famous village has managed to preserve its agricultural roots despite its iconic reputation. While the ocean sets the rhythm in Bidart, Espelette is a visual explosion: garlands of bright red peppers dry on the dazzling white facades in late summer, creating a magnificent contrast to the mountain backdrop. Every stroll here is a feast for the senses and reveals the real life behind the picture-perfect idyll.

At its core, the history of Espelette revolves around the imposing 11th-century château of the Barons of Ezpeleta, which once gave the town both its power and its name. But the village experienced its true revolution in the 17th century, when a Basque sailor brought back an unassuming pod from South America. What began as a curiosity soon replaced the exorbitantly expensive pepper in the region and immortalized the small village throughout the world as the home of the legendary Piment d’Espelette.

The picturesque alleys, lined with massive Basque houses featuring their characteristic oxblood-red or deep-green half-timbering, form the vibrant heart of the town. The Church of Saint-Étienne, which, with its fortified walls and three-story wooden galleries inside, looks almost like a fortress, is a must-see on any tour. When the traditional market brings the town to life on Wednesdays, the place is bustling with activity.

Its strategically perfect location makes Espelette the ideal base camp for exploring the unspoiled inland region. Situated right at the junction between the flat coastal plain and the first major peaks of the Pyrenees, it’s a wonderful starting point for exploring the mystical mountain world, hidden neighboring villages, or even the direct route across the Spanish border—all in an authentic and intimate way.